Williams features in Queen's Baton Relay

29 May 2014 11:10am

By Graeme Gillespie

Lee Williams - Baton

Wales Sevens star Lee Williams had the honour of parading the Queen's Baton in Laugharne on Tuesday.

The Queen's Baton Relay is a tradition of the Commonwealth Games and symbolises the coming together of all Commonwealth nations and territories in preparation for the four-yearly festival of sport and culture.

The Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay is the curtain-raiser to the XX Commonwealth Games. Over a period of 288 days the baton will visit 70 nations and territories, cover 190,000 kilometres and involve a third of the world's population, making it the world's most engaging relay.

By the end of its journey the baton will have travelled around 118,000 miles across 70 nations and territories and been carried by over 10,000 baton bearers.

Williams was among a select few who had the honour of carrying the baton on Tuesday as the relay weaved its way through Carmarthenshire.

An early day began in Laugharne for Williams and his fellow Baton bearers before the baton headed for Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli and then returning to Carmarthen.

The baton will be relayed by thousands of people throughout the Commonwealth, each one honoured by their own nation to participate in this unique tradition.

The finish line is in the host nation Scotland just in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony in Glasgow, where Her Majesty The Queen will read aloud Her message to the Commonwealth.

Actor and Millennium Stadium Tour Guide Gareth Bale has been performing his one-man play about Wales rugby legend Ray Gravell across Wales. He chats to WRU TV before taking his show to the Edinburgh Festival.

After widespread consultation, the WRU has made major changes to its pathway programme for girls rugby with a spring and summer season being introduced with immediate effect in order to respond to a clear demand to play the game.

The rugby season is moving for girls rugby in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear about the change from WRU Women's Rugby Manager Caroline Spanton, Welsh Government deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism Ken Skates gives his backing, while we hear from the launch at Glantaf in Cardiff. Brothers Jamie and Jonathan Davies preview the Fosters Sevens, while we have a special feature on the Radlers Women's Sevens and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis welcomes the new Six Nations TV deal.

We cover the big news the 2017 Champions League Final will be coming to the Millennium Stadium, in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear from FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford, First Minister Carwyn Jones and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis. Wales coach Warren Gatland describes their high altitude training in Switzerland, national match officials manager Nigel Whitehouse talks about the community coaches and referees conference, while we have a special feature on Cardiff Blues U18 girls sevens squad preparing for their first Gemau Cymru, with some help from internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett.

Cardiff Blues U18 Girls will go into Sunday's Gemau Cymru with an extra spring in their step after Welsh internationals Elinor Snowsill and Philippa Tuttiett offered some last minute tips at a training session earlier this week.

Coach Richard Hodges is hoping Wales U20 can put a disappointing campaign behind them when they tackle Japan tomorrow as they look to finish the U20 Championship strongly to secure a good seeding for next year's tournament.

Wales Under 18 head coach Geraint Lewis will take a squad of 26 to South Africa on Monday to play two matches against South Africa and one against Italy as part of an eight day international tournament.

Foster's 7s champions Llandovery have been drawn against fellow Scarlets regional side Carmarthen Quins in Round One of the third WRU Foster's National 7s, which will take place at the BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park on Sunday 30 August.

Wales coach Warren Gatland runs the rule over his squad at the start of the Rugby World Cup preparations in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. He explains the injuries and also the situation surrounding No 8 Toby Faletau. Blues back Rhys Patchell describes the training camp, while Wales U20 win Josh Adams sums up; their World Rugby Championships campaign.

WRU National Academy Coaching manager Allan Lewis will retire, a new Elite Coach Development Manager post has been created and WRU international skills coach Jason Strange will now fulfil his WRU role on a full time basis.

Wales Under 18 head coach Geraint Lewis will take a squad of 26 to South Africa on Monday to play two matches against South Africa and one against Italy as part of an eight day international tournament.

Wales Under 18 captain Calum Haggett has received a conditional offer to read Biomedical Science at St Anne's College, Oxford. WRU chairman Gareth Davies went to meet Calum and Coleg y Cymoedd Principal Judith Evans to wish him luck in his exams and pass on some of his personal experience.

The future of Welsh rugby is in safe hands according to Wales Under 18 head coach Geraint Lewis who masterminded his sides 38-8 victory against Portugal in Toulouse to claim fifth spot at the Rugby European U-18 European Championship.

The rugby season is moving for girls rugby in this week's Principality Welsh Rugby Union Podcast. We hear about the change from WRU Women's Rugby Manager Caroline Spanton, Welsh Government deputy minister for culture, sport and tourism Ken Skates gives his backing, while we hear from the launch at Glantaf in Cardiff. Brothers Jamie and Jonathan Davies preview the Fosters Sevens, while we have a special feature on the Radlers Women's Sevens and WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis welcomes the new Six Nations TV deal.

Pupils from Ysgol Castell Nedd and Ysgol y Dderwen will be the first to compete for Welsh Schools titles at the Millennium Stadium this season when they run onto the hallowed turf of the Millennium Stadium tomorrow (Wednesday).